When I Picture Myself Being Included, I Don’t See Myself Without My Disabilities

I want to live in a world where my existence is just accepted. I don't want to have to undergo drastic physical or neurological changes to be perceived as a normal part the world. When I imagine myself in an inclusive and accepting world, I see myself as me unchanged, still disabled but simply in … Continue reading When I Picture Myself Being Included, I Don’t See Myself Without My Disabilities

No, I Will Not Agree to Disagree: The Prevalence of Platitudes in Disability Social Justice Discourse

I've never liked the phrase "agree to disagree" Much of this just stems from my self-absorbed desire to be right and acknowledged as being right. In practice, it does have some practical value, particularly when dealing with someone whose ideals are diametrically opposed to your own. Sometimes it's just easier to not discuss some topics … Continue reading No, I Will Not Agree to Disagree: The Prevalence of Platitudes in Disability Social Justice Discourse

Proof that “Positive” Euphemisms for Disability Just Don’t Work

In the last couple of decades the language surrounding disability has become very fluid, less specific and just generally vague because "disability" is seen as a dirty word whose associations have negative affects on the people to whom it's applied. In a move that fools exactly no one supposedly positive euphemisms have been introduced to … Continue reading Proof that “Positive” Euphemisms for Disability Just Don’t Work

When Your Disability isn’t Considered in Grade School

I have hemiplegic cerebral palsy and am on the autism spectrum. I wasn't diagnosed with the latter until I was eighteen and had already graduated high school. In some ways the total lack of knowledge my parents had about cerebral palsy contributed to this lack of diagnosis. My extreme sensitivity to touch and textures was … Continue reading When Your Disability isn’t Considered in Grade School

Why saying “Everyone has some kind of Disability” is a Lie

It's not an uncommon refrain when trying to build empathy for disabled people, just say "Everyone has some kind of disability, some are just more obvious than others. All kinds of people say this. Hell, I distinctly recall uttering myself one day during a planned day of disability education in fifth grade. A day that … Continue reading Why saying “Everyone has some kind of Disability” is a Lie